"People don't need to worry about security."
That's good news, Dubya. Once the folks of the UAE are settled into running our ports, perhaps they'll be willing to run our airports too.
I've been trying to avoid this foolishness, but it gets nuttier all the time. The saving grace of this administration has been keeping us safe. Where this boneheaded port idea came from, I do not know.
As this point it's like President Bush is dangling us over a crocodile like the Crocodile Hunter did with baby Bob. He may well be in control of the situation, but it sure doesn't look that way.
I'm with N.C. Rep. Sue Myrick on this one: Not just no, but HELL NO.
Posted by floridacracker at February 23, 2006 05:14 PMAbsolutely. And by the way, Ms. Myrick is a trooper. She gets high marks all around here. We're fortunate to have this fine lady representing us. Thanks for posting that remark that she made.
Posted by: Trambo at February 23, 2006 10:18 PMI thought about you when I saw she was from NC. She summed things up pretty well.
Posted by: Donnah at February 23, 2006 10:42 PMYea, she's highly respected and well liked in this area. We love her because she doesn't hold back. She's a great asset to our state.
Posted by: Trambo at February 23, 2006 11:33 PMThey've been operating at Port Adelaide for three years now- nary a hint of strife, and they've given the unions a good old touch-up as well. The company's owned by the UAC but operated mostly by Poms, Aussies Yanks etc and are a very efficient stevedore- they have nothing to do with port security.
The whole thing's a democrat beat-up to score points by beating up on Arabs- pity they're friendly ones.
They can't just spring things like that on us, Paulie. It's freaked everyone out. Me included.
You really thing you needed foreigners to run your port?
Posted by: Donnah at February 24, 2006 12:58 AMAll they do is lease space- the operators are usually local. the previous owner was P&O, a Pommy/Dutch consortium, and as useless as feathers on a frog. I believe P&O only operate about 12% of the portainers in the US so it's a drop in the bucket anyway- someone's going to buy it, because it's a good earner and P&O are bailing out of the liner/container trade. Ironically they've flogged all their ships off to a Danish line, who closely resemble their ancestors in how they ply the high seas, minus the horny hats.
Posted by: PB at February 24, 2006 01:14 AMMy initial reaction was instant total opposition, until I started reading about and listening to some experts. A Special Forces vet from Afghanistan mentioned that the UAE provides key bases in support ofour efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan, and that UAE Special Forces are very effective fighting alongside our guys in Afghanistan. UAE is what we say we want--a moderate Arab regime that backs our efforts against terror. Robert Kaplan, a true expert, totally supports the Dubai operation. That's good enough for me.
Posted by: John Cunningham at February 24, 2006 07:40 AMhere we go..eek !
Grunt is still 'plugged in' at the Pentagon, SC and all, and from what he tells me..all is well. John and I are on the same page.
Grunt would never lie to me. I know where he lives.
oh I just have to do this..
Donnah,I took you for more of a "male figure skater wears swan costume" type blogger. *big smile*
Posted by: Owen Crosby at February 24, 2006 12:31 PMYou are so "on" today, Owen. *poke*
Posted by: Donnah at February 24, 2006 02:36 PM